Treasures Of Morocco

Day 1: Arrive Casablanca – Rabat

Arrival in Casablanca. Upon arrival you will be met by your English-speaking driver and travel to Rabat. Start the city tour of Rabat the Imperial “garden city”, the well-planned city consists of broad tree-lined avenues, a landscaped central park, and impressive quarters for the foreign embassies and ministries. See the Kasbah of the Oudayas located at the mouth of the Bou Regreg river opposite Sale city and the unfinished Hassan Tower and Mosque. Check in overnight at your hotel.

Day 2: Rabat – Chefchaouen

After breakfast, depart to Chefchaouen, its rich heritage allows you to enjoy the inescapable Medina with its famous narrow winding alleys, where you will have an opportunity to mingle with the local population, and to smell and taste it’s delights. There is also the Kasbah, which stands in the middle of the old quarter, with lush gardens, is a haven of freshness. It’s museum which is home to a collection of old weapons, some photos of the city, and textiles, is a must-see. Check in & overnight at your hotel. (BB)

Day 3: Chefchaouen – Volubilis – Meknes – Fes

After breakfast, depart for Fes, via Volubilis and Meknes. Discover Volubilis, the amazing Roman archaeological site. From this tranquil site you can view the Holy City of Moulay Idriss. Meknes is one of the Imperial Cities as it was built and became prosperous in the 17th century under the rule of a powerful sultan Moulay Ismail. See the Bab Mansour Gate. Arrive Fes in the late afternoon. Balance of the day is at leisure. Overnight at your hotel. (BB)

 Day 4: Fes

After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a city tour. Fes, founded in the 8th century, was Morocco’s first capital, and is today the kingdom’s intellectual, religious and cultural center. The university here is one of the oldest in the world, and the city’s handicrafts are admirable.  Fes Street in the medina may be the most memorable you’ll ever experience. The souks in the medina are an open-air department store. Sightseeing includes the monuments and historical sites of the ancient medina. Walk to the Karaouine Mosque and University. Visit the Attarine Medersas constructed in the early 14th century by the Merinides. At the center of the square stands the Nejjarine Fountain, which is completely decorated with tiles. It is considered to be the finest example of geometric ornamentation in the city. Optional: Lunch at a restaurant within the medina.  Return to the hotel for Overnight at (BB)

Day 5: Fes – Midelt – Erfoud – Sahara Desert Camp. 

After breakfast, depart to Erfoud via Midelt, the gateway to the Atlas Mountains, an area of Kasbah and Castles, and an important mining center. Pass by a series of fortified villages with outstanding pre-Saharan architecture. Continue to Erfoud the home to some of the most beautiful scenery in Morocco with ancient Berber fortresses set in palm groves as far as the eye can see. Take a 4×4 wheel drive and proceed to the desert dunes of the Sahara, where a welcome mint tea and local cookies awaits at your nomadic tented camp. Switch to camels, and trek into the marvelous vast and silent Sahara to enjoy sunset… Return back to the camp for dinner and overnight in your luxury camp. (BD)

Day 6: Sahara Desert Camp – Erfoud – Todra Gorge – Ouarzazate

Early this morning, witness the unique sunrise: watch the pink disc of the sun appearing over the gigantic dunes of Merzouga. Departure to Ouarzazate via Tinejdad and Tinghir, on the “Road of 1,000 Kasbahs“. Stop at Todra Gorge – the highest, narrowest gorge in Morocco. You will meet locals and learn about their culture and geography. Continue to Ouarzazate via El Kelaa and M’Gouna famous for cultivating roses.  Check in and overnight at hotel (BB)

Day 7: Ourzazate – Ait Ben Haddou -Marrakech

Morning visit to Kasbah Taourirt, which was the capital of the local dynasty in the early 20th century when the French foreign legion built their base here. Travel to Kasbah Ait Benhaddou, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, and served as a backdrop for filming international movies. This afternoon, continue to Marrakech traveling across the Tichka Pass (7.730 ft.).  Arrive in Marrakech the pink city. Check in & overnight at hotel (BB)

Day 8: Marrakech

Morning city sightseeing of Marrakech “the red city of Morocco”. View Koutoubia Tower, landmark of the city.  Continue to the Bahia Palace built in the 19th century, consisting of rooms decorated with stunning paintings and mosaics. Visit a spice workshop and discover the legendary souks, craft markets, and wool-dyer’s quarters.  Discover the secrets of Jemaa El Fna Square, the beating heart of Marrakech a permanent display of folklore, magicians, and storytellers. Here comes the snake-charmers, fortune-tellers, potion vendors, Gnaoua musicians, henna artists, monkey performers, acrobats and much more. Return to hotel for overnight (BB)

Day 9: Marrakech – Morning Visit of gardens

This morning you will explore the botanical treasures of Marrakech. (Optional: by Horse carriage).  Visit the famous Majorelle Gardens, designed by the French Artist, Jacques Majorelle in 1924, and purchased by Yves St Laurent in 1980. It contains some 300 species of plants from 5 continents. Your visit also includes the Berber Museum, with more than 600 objects, including elaborate antique outfits, collected from the Rif Mountains to the Sahara with richness and diversity of this vibrant culture, which is still very much alive today. Visit the nearby Yves Saint Laurent Museum.  Afternoon at leisure to explore the city on own or optional activities. Overnight at your hotel. (BB)

Day 10: Marrakech – Essaouira

After breakfast, depart to Essaouira on the Atlantic Coast.  See on the way Goats climbing Argan Trees looking for their best food.  Stop to visit an Argan Oil Factory.  “The Argan Tree “is an amazing tree which only grows in the southern Morocco, and nowhere else in the world! This oil that has caused a huge demand from the all over the World, mainly from the beauty and health industry, as a multi-purpose beauty product: from argan based creams, soaps and shampoos. Argan Oil is used also as culinary product for many famous Moroccan dishes such as couscous, salads and amlou spread (argan oil, almond paste and honey). Continue to Essaouira:  a medieval city known for its annual festival of Gangue music (Gnawa). UNESCO considers the city to be an international heritage site. There are many other things to admire when visiting Essaouira such as its pleasant weather, Moulay El Hassan, La Skala, the port, the ramparts. Visit the bustling fish market, and the ramparts and bastions, which served as the location for the Orson Welles film version of Othello. Visit the fortifications and the excellent factories which sell locally carved and polished thuya wood products. Optional:   Fish Lunch at a local restaurant. Enjoy sometime in the golden beach. Check in to your hotel for overnight. (BB)

Day 11: Essaouira – Safi – Oualidia-El Jadida- Casablanca
After breakfast, depart to Safi. Visit of the Portuguese Sea Castle and the Pottery Hill. Continue to Oualidia. Optional: lunch in Oualidia (Seaside resort) famous for its Oyster-Farming.  Proceed to El Jadida, once called “Mazagan” by the Portuguese for panoramic visit. Then drive to Casablanca: the main port, the Financial, commercial and manufacturing center of the country, and the largest city in Africa.  Upon arrival, drive along it’s wide boulevards, United Nations Square, and the residential area of Anfa and Ain Diab. Visit the great Hassan II Mosque (outside), a real masterpiece of Moroccan architecture situated on the edge of the Atlantic in the easternmost point of Morocco. Although traditional in design and decoration, the Mosque also has some very modern features such as an area of glass floor so that when the worshippers kneel above it, they can view the sea below.  Check in & Overnight at your hotel. (BB)

Day 12: Departure
After breakfast transfer to Casablanca International Airport.

This is a sample itinerary which can be further customized to suit your preference. Prices will be quoted upon request according to the date of travel and the number of passengers in your vehicle.